Device for linking a sports equipment with a shoe

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a device that comprises a lower part ( 1 ) mounted on the ski ( 3 ) and an upper part ( 2 ) that can be mounted on said lower part. The shoe ( 4 ) may be linked with the upper face ( 21 ) of the upper part ( 2 ). The lower part ( 1 ) includes a base ( 13 ) mounted on the ski body ( 3 ) and being insertable into a correspondingly shaped middle section ( 23 ) of the upper part ( 2 ). The base ( 13 ) is held in said middle section ( 23 ) by means of a connection appliances ( 35 ). Between the base plate ( 10 ) and the ski body ( 3 ), the middle section of a flexible member ( 60 ) is held. Said member ( 60 ) and its support on the ski are adapted to have the effect of a brake that engages automatically.

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for connecting a ski orthe like to a skier's boot.

[0002] A device of this generic type is disclosed, for example, in WO9635488. This device makes it possible, inter alia, to turn on skisconsiderably more quickly than has been possible hitherto, to be precisein particular when the basic body of the ski is narrowed to a pronouncedextent in the region for the ski binding. The magnitude of the force bywhich the device acts on this central region of the ski body, and thusalso the magnitude of the downwardly directed bending or deflection ofthe central portion of the ski body, is determined by the design of thedevice. The magnitude of the abovementioned force or the magnitude ofthe abovementioned deflection of the central portion of the ski bodythus cannot, in the case of this previously known device, be changed oradapted for a given application.

[0003] The object of the present invention is to eliminate theabovementioned disadvantage and further disadvantages of the prior art.

[0004] This object is achieved according to the invention, in the caseof the device of the generic type mentioned in the introduction, as isdefined in the characterizing clause of Patent Claim 1.

[0005] Embodiments of the present invention will be explainedhereinbelow in more detail with reference to the attached drawings, inwhich:

[0006]FIG. 1 shows a side view of a first configuration of the presentdevice, which has an arrangement for securing a boot, this retainingarrangement being fastened on the ski body via intermediate elements,

[0007]FIG. 2 shows, on an enlarged scale, a vertical section through thedevice according to FIG. 1,

[0008]FIG. 3 shows a side view of a second configuration of the presentdevice,

[0009]FIG. 4 shows, on an enlarged scale, a vertical section through thedevice according to FIG. 3,

[0010]FIG. 5 shows a first side view of one of the intermediate elementsfrom FIGS. 1 and 3,

[0011]FIG. 6 shows a plan view of the first intermediate element,

[0012]FIG. 7 shows a second side view of the first intermediate element,

[0013]FIG. 8 shows a first side view of the second of the intermediateelements from FIGS. 1 and 3,

[0014]FIG. 9 shows a plan view of the second intermediate element,

[0015]FIG. 10 shows a second side view of the second intermediateelement,

[0016]FIG. 11 shows a side view of a shaft, with the aid of which theintermediate elements are connected to the retaining arrangement,

[0017]FIG. 12 shows a plan view of the first configuration of a securingdisc which can be fitted at one of the ends of the shaft,

[0018]FIG. 13 shows a plan view of the second configuration of thesecuring disc,

[0019]FIG. 14 shows a side view of a third configuration of the presentdevice,

[0020]FIG. 15 shows a plan view of the device according to FIG. 14,

[0021]FIG. 16 shows a side view of a fourth configuration of the presentdevice,

[0022]FIG. 17 shows a plan view of the device according to FIG. 16,

[0023]FIG. 18 shows a side view of a fifth configuration of the presentdevice,

[0024]FIG. 19 shows a plan view of the device according to FIG. 18,

[0025]FIG. 20 shows a front view of the device according to FIG. 18,

[0026]FIG. 21 shows a side view of the main part of the device accordingto FIG. 18,

[0027]FIG. 22 shows, on an enlarged scale, a side view of one of theU-shaped intermediate elements, the central part of which is locatedbetween the main part of the device and the ski body,

[0028]FIG. 23 shows a plan view of a first configuration of the centralpart of the intermediate element according to FIG. 22, and

[0029]FIG. 24 shows a plan view of a second configuration of the centralpart of the intermediate element.

[0030] The present device (FIGS. 1 to 13) comprises, inter alia, anarrangement 1 for securing or for accommodating the skier's boot, andtwo intermediate elements 2 and 3. These intermediate elements 2 and 3are arranged between the retaining arrangement 1 and the ski 5. Theconstituent parts 1 to 3 of the present device are configured such thatthe spacing between the intermediate elements 2 and 3 can be adjustedand arrested.

[0031] The retaining arrangement 1 has a basic body 10 which is elongateand has a more or less U-shaped cross section. FIG. 1 only shows certainsections of the elongate basic body 10, in order that the essentialparts of this basic body 10 can be illustrated. FIG. 2 shows a verticalsection A-A, in which only the ski body 5 is in section and in which thefront intermediate element 3 is illustrated in a side view.

[0032] The basic body 10 of the retaining arrangement 1 has two outerlegs 11 and 12, which project or hang down from the mutually oppositeside edges 48 and 49 of a base plate 13 of the retaining arrangement.The abovementioned side edges 48 and 49 of the retaining arrangement 1run essentially parallel to the longitudinal edges or sides 40 of theski 5. The outer legs 11 and 12 are located more or less at right anglesto the base plate 13. Parts of a ski binding known per se, i.e. abinding toe and a binding heel, are fastened in a manner known per se onthe outside or on that side or surface of the base plate 13 which isdirected away from the legs 11 and 12.

[0033] The legs 11 and 12 of the retaining arrangement 1 are in the formof strips which are integral with the base plate 13 and extend along thelongitudinal edges 48 and 49 of the base plate 13. The free edge 19 ofthe retaining legs 11 and 12, said edge being directed away from thebase plate 13, has at least one section 39 which, at least in thecentral region of the length of the retaining arrangement 1, runsparallel to the base plate 13.

[0034] The respective retaining leg 11, 12 has at least one row 15 ofopenings 14, the centres of which are located on a straight line G1.This straight line G1 runs parallel to the base plate 13 of theretaining arrangement 1 and/or parallel to the central section 39 of thefree edge 19 of the leg 11, 12. The contour or the border portion ofthese openings 14 is circular. The spacings between the centres of theadjacent openings 14 are equal.

[0035] As seen in a direction which is located perpendicularly to thelongitudinal direction of the retaining arrangement 1, the openings 14in the mutually opposite legs 11 and 12 of the retaining arrangement 1are aligned with one another, with the result that mutually oppositeopenings 14 in the retaining legs 11 and 12 are located on a secondstraight line G2 (FIG. 2). This second straight line G2 runsperpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the retainingarrangement 1 and thus also perpendicularly to the first straight lineG1. The mutually opposite openings 14 in the legs 11 and 12 which arelocated on a common perpendicular straight line G2 are also referred tohereinbelow as associated openings 14.

[0036] In the case illustrated in FIG. 1, the openings 14 in therespective retaining leg 11, 12 each form two groups 16 and 17, thestraight lines G1 of which are aligned with one another, with the resultthat the openings 14 of the two groups 16 and 17 are located on a commonfirst straight line G1. Consequently, the openings 14 of the two groupsform two successive rows 16 and 17 of openings 14. An intermediatesurface 18 of the respective retaining leg 11, 12 is provided betweenthe groups 16 and 17 of openings and does not have any openings 14.

[0037] The basic body 10 of the retaining arrangement 1 has further legs81, 82, 83 and 84 (FIG. 2) which are located between the outer legs 11and 12, are more or less of the same design as the outer legs 11 and 12and run parallel to the latter and to one another.

[0038] The present device further comprises the already mentionedintermediate elements 2 and 3 (FIGS. 1 and 4 to 7), which are locatedbetween the retaining arrangement 1 and the ski 5. In the caseillustrated, the first intermediate element 2 (FIGS. 5 to 7) is assignedto the heel region of the retaining arrangement 1. The secondintermediate element 3 (FIGS. 8 to 10) is located in the region of thetoe of the retaining arrangement 1. It is readily possible, however, forthe intermediate elements 2 and 3 also to be located on the ski 5 in thereverse order. Each of the intermediate elements 2 and 3 has arespective basic body 20, 30 which has a U-shaped or a more or lessE-shaped cross section. In the case illustrated in FIG. 1, a so-calledpressure-exerting plate 60, which is known per se, is arranged on thetop side of the ski body 5. The intermediate elements 2 and 3 rest onsaid pressure-exerting plate 60.

[0039] The basic body 20 of the first intermediate element 2 (FIGS. 5 to7) has a base plate 23. Projecting from mutually opposite side edges 46and 47 of this base plate 23, said edges running more or less parallelto the longitudinal edges 40 of the ski 5, are legs 21 and 22 of saidintermediate element 2, these legs 21 and 22 being located more or lessat right angles to the base plate 23 and projecting up from the same.The legs 21 and 22 are in the form of strips which are integral with thebase plate 23 and extend along the longitudinal edges 46 and 47 of thebase plate 23. The free edge 29 of the legs 21 and 22, said edge beingdirected away from the base plate 23, runs, at least in the centralregion of the length of the intermediate element 2, parallel to the baseplate 23.

[0040] The spacing D (FIG. 4) between the outer surfaces 87 and 88 ofthe outer legs 11 and 12 on the retaining arrangement 1 is smaller thanthe spacing between the inner surfaces 85 and 86 of theintermediate-element legs 21 and 22, with the result that the retainingarrangement 1 can be inserted between the legs 21 and 22, 31 and 32 ofthe respective intermediate elements 2 and 3. The spacing D, moreover,is selected such that the legs 87 and 88 of the retaining arrangement 1may be accommodated between the legs 21 and 22 of the intermediateelement 2, 3, that the side surfaces 85 and 87, 86 and 88 assigned toone another rest one upon the other in a play-free manner and that theintermediate elements 2 and 3 here can execute a pivoting movement inrelation to the retaining arrangement 1.

[0041] Configured in the respective leg 21, 22 of the first intermediateelement 2 is in each case one row 25 of openings 24 (FIG. 5), thecentres of which are located on a straight line G3. This straight lineG3 runs parallel to the base plate 23 of the intermediate element 2and/or parallel to the free edge 29 of the legs 21 and 22. The contouror the border portion of the openings 24 is circular. The diameter ofsuch holes 24 is equal to the diameter of the holes 14 in the legs 11,12 and 81 to 84 of the retaining arrangement 1. The spacings between thecentres of the adjacent openings 24 in the first intermediate element 2are equal and, moreover, these spacings are equal to the spacingsbetween the adjacent holes 14 in the retaining arrangement 1. Therespective end portion of the legs 21 and 22 is provided with a bevel26, 27.

[0042] The second intermediate element 3 (FIGS. 8 to 10), apart from thedesign of the openings 34 in the legs 31 and 32 thereof, is of the samedesign as the first intermediate element 2. The opening 34 in therespective leg 31, 32 of this intermediate element 3 is configured as aslot, the longitudinal axis of the slot 34 running parallel to the baseplate 33 of said intermediate element 3. The slot 34 is advantageouslyarranged in relation to the holes 14 in the legs 11 and 12 of theretaining arrangement 1 such that the centre of the slot 34 is alignedwith the centre of one of the circular holes 14 in the legs 11 and 12 ofthe retaining arrangement 1.

[0043] The base plate 23, 33 of the respective intermediate element 2, 3has openings 38, through which screws 28 (FIGS. 2 and 4) can pass inorder to fasten the intermediate elements 2 and 3 on the ski 5.

[0044] In order for it to be possible for the retaining arrangement 1 tobe connected to the intermediate elements 2 and 3 fastened on the skibody 5, suitable connecting means 50 (FIGS. 11 to 13) are provided. Ineach case one such connecting means 50 is necessary for connecting theretaining arrangement 1 to one of the intermediate elements 2 and 3. Therespective connecting means 50 is configured as a pin which allowspivoting movements between the retaining arrangement 1 and theintermediate elements 2 and 3 connected thereto. In the simplest case, acap screw may serve as such a connecting means 50. The diameter of theshank 54 of this screw 50 has to correspond to the dimensions of theholes 14, 24 and 34 in the retaining arrangement 1 and in theintermediate elements 2 and 3. The screw shank 54 is plugged through thecoinciding openings 14 and 24 in the overlapping legs 11,12 and 21, 22of the retaining arrangement 1 and of the intermediate elements 2 and 3.A nut (not illustrated) may be screwed onto the free end portion of thescrew shank 54, said end portion projecting out of the retainingarrangement 1.

[0045]FIG. 11 shows a connecting means 50 with a shank 54 which has asmooth cylindrical surface. One of the end portions of the same isprovided with a head 66. An encircling groove 67 is configured in theopposite end portion of the shank 54. The spacing between the innersurface of the head 66 and the groove 67 is dimensioned such that itcorresponds to the spacing between the outer surfaces 89 and 90 of theintermediate-element legs 31 and 32. The connecting means 50 furthercomprises a securing element 64, which can be fitted onto the shank 54,and removed from the same, without any tools being used.

[0046] The securing element 64 illustrated in FIG. 12 is configured as adisc made of a resilient material, for example of rubber or plastic. Thethickness of this disc 64 is equal to, or corresponds to, the width ofthe encircling groove 67. The disc 64 is provided with an opening 68which is expediently located outside the centre of the disc 64. Thediameter of the opening 68 corresponds to the diameter of the base ofthe encircling groove 67. In order to fit such a securing disc 64 on theshank 54, it is drawn out and the border portion of the opening 68 isintroduced into the groove 67. Once one lets go of the disc 64, thelatter assumes its original dimensions again.

[0047]FIG. 13 shows a securing disc 64 which is made of metal andlikewise has the opening 68. A slit 69 is configured between thisopening 68 and the outer border of the disc 64. The spacing between theedges of this slit 69 in the region of the narrowest location of thisslit 69 is smaller than the diameter of the base of the groove 67.Consequently, the disc 64 latches in on the base of the encirclinggroove 67 once it has been pressed into the encircling groove 67.

[0048] As can be gathered from the above, the respective connectingmeans 50 serves as a pivot pin. One of these pivot pins 50 passesthrough associated leg openings 14 of the front group 16 of openings inthe retaining arrangement 1 and through associated openings 34 in thesecond intermediate element 3, which are aligned with the leg qpenings14 in the remaining arrangement 1. The second pivot pin 50 passesthrough associated leg openings 14 of the rear group 17 of openings inthe retaining arrangement 1 and through associated openings 24 in thefirst intermediate element 2, which are aligned with the leg openings 14in the retaining arrangement 1.

[0049] In some circumstances, it may be expedient to make theintermediate elements 2 and 3 integral with the ski body 5. This makesit possible for the intermediate elements 2 and 3, which may also bereferred to as adapters, and the ski 5 to be designed and produced inone piece. It is possible for the retaining arrangement 1 together withthe constituent parts of the binding just to be placed in position onthese adapters 2 and 3. Moreover, the abovementioned measure results ina further reduction in the height of the base plate 13 of the retainingarrangement 1 above the ski body 5. This measure is used, for example,when the ski body is short. It is possible for the bottom borders of thelegs 21 and 22, 31 and 32 to be positioned in the ski body 5 or for thelegs 21 15 and 22, 31 and 32 to be formed from the material for the skibody 5.

[0050]FIG. 3 shows a further configuration of the present device, inwhich the base plates 23 and 33 of the intermediate elements 2 and 3 arepositioned in the top side of the ski body 5. In this configuration ofthe present device, shallow depressions 92 and 93 are configured in thetop side of the ski body 5, the depth of said depressions correspondingto the thickness of the base plates 23 and 33. The base plates 23 and 33of the intermediate elements 2 and 3 are located in said depressions 92and 93 and may be fastened here with the aid of the screws 28. It ispossible either for that dimension of the depressions 92 and 93 whichruns parallel to the longitudinal direction of the ski body 5 to beequal to the length of the respective base plate 23, 33, with the resultthat the base plate 23, 33 is positioned in a non-moveable manner insuch a respective depression 92, 93, or for the longitudinal dimensionof the depression 92, 93 to be greater than the length of the respectivebase plate 23, 33. If the longitudinal dimension of the depression 92,93 is greater (FIG. 3) than the longitudinal dimension of the baseplates 23 and 33, it is then possible for the base plate 23, 33 to beadjusted forwards and back, in the longitudinal direction of the skibody 5, in the respective depression 92, 93.

[0051]FIGS. 14 and 15 show a further embodiment of the present device,in which the retaining arrangement 100 has two parts 101 and 102. Onecan imagine these parts 101 and 102 as being produced by the centralsection 18 of the retaining arrangement 1 according to FIGS. 1 and 3being removed. Consequently, the respective retaining part 101, 102 ofthe retaining arrangement 100 only comprises that respective section106, 107 of the original base plate 13 which is intended foraccommodating the binding heel 108 (FIGS. 16 and 17) or the binding toe109 and is configured for this purpose in a manner known per se. Thelegs 11 and 12 which have already been described above, and in which theopenings 14 which have likewise been described above are configured,hang down from the respective section 106, 107 of the original baseplate 13. Consequently, it is possible for the respective retaining part101, 102 to be positioned on, and connected to, one of the intermediateelements 2, 3 in the manner which has likewise been described above.

[0052] Located between the retaining parts 101 and 102 is an arrangement103 with the aid of which it is possible to adjust the spacing betweenthe retaining parts 101 and 102. This adjusting arrangement 103 has twomore or less U-shaped elements 104 and 105, each of which comprises twolegs 111 and 112, 113 and 114, respectively. The respective pair of legsis assigned a respective web 115, 116, which connects those ends of thelegs of the respective U-element 104, 105 which is directed towards,and/or assigned to, the respective retaining part 101, 102. The web 115,116 of the respective U-element 104, 105 is assigned to the underside ofthe base plate 13 of one of the respective retaining parts 101, 102 andis fixedly connected thereto. This can take place with the aid ofscrews. The legs 111 and 112, 113 and 114, which are connected to theserespective webs 115 and 116 and belong to the respective U-element 104,105 project horizontally from the respective retaining part 101 and 102.

[0053] The legs 111 and 112, 113 and 114 of the respective U-element104, 105 are configured as tubular elements. The external diameter ofthe legs 111 and 112 of one of the U-elements 104 is smaller than theinternal diameter of the other U-element 105, to be precise such thatthe thinner legs 111 and 112 can be moved as far as possible in aplay-free manner into the thicker legs 113 and 114. Openings 117 areconfigured in the legs 111 and 112, 113 and 114 of the respectiveU-elements 104 and 105. The openings 117 of one of the U-elements may bealigned with the openings 117 in the other U-element by virtue of theU-elements 104 and 105 being displaced in relation to one another, withthe result that the shaft 50 which has already been described can beplugged through the thus aligned openings 117. This makes it possiblefor the position of the legs 111 and 112, 113 and 114 in relation to oneanother and for the spacing of the retaining parts 101 and 102 from oneanother to be adjusted and fixed.

[0054]FIGS. 16 and 17 show a further embodiment of the present device,this differing from the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 14 and 15essentially only by the fact that the respective part 108, 109 of theski binding is fixedly connected to, or even integral with, one of theretaining parts 101 and 102.

[0055] For weight-related reasons, the retaining arrangement and theintermediate elements are usually made of an aluminium alloy. Incontrast, the shaft 50 is normally made of a hard steel. Since thealuminium alloy is softer than steel, it may be the case, during theoperation of the present device, that the material in the region of theopening borders in the retaining arrangement and in the intermediateelements yields under the pressure of the hard shaft 50, which acts moreor less in the plane of the openings. The openings in the retainingarrangement and in the intermediate elements thus become larger, and theresult of this is that undesired play is produced between the shaft andthe retaining arrangement and between the shaft and the intermediateelements. This problem does not arise in the case of the embodiments ofthe present device which are described hereinbelow.

[0056] FIGS. 18 to 24 show an embodiment of the present invention ofthis type. FIG. 18 illustrates a detail of a ski 5 which is equippedwith such a device. This device is illustrated in plan view in FIG. 19and has a retaining arrangement 120 for the skier's boot as well as twointermediate elements 122 and 123. The retaining arrangement 120 has tworetaining parts 118 and 119, which are spaced apart from one another.The respective retaining part 118, 119 is coupled in an articulatedmanner to the associated intermediate element 122, 123 by means of oneof the shafts 50 which have already been described.

[0057] The basic body 121 of the respective retaining part 118, 119 isconfigured as a profiled element (FIG. 20), it also being possible forthe profile to be referred to as a box profile. The cross section of thebasic body 121 is essentially rectangular, this profile being oriented,in the case illustrated, such that the longer sides 124 and 125 of thecross section of this profile run more or less horizontally. These sidesconstitute the top wall 124 and the bottom wall 125 of the box profile121. The shorter sides 126 and 127 of the profile extend verticallybetween the ends of the longer sides 124 and 125 and constitute the sidewalls of the box profile. The retaining arrangement 120 has a verticallyrunning centre plane M, in which a longitudinal axis of the retainingarrangement 120 is also located. The centre plane M passes through thecentre of the width of the horizontal walls 124 and 125.

[0058] Extending between the side walls 126 and 127 of the box profile121 is a third, horizontal wall 128 of the box profile 121, said thirdwall being located between the abovementioned horizontal walls 124 and125 and running parallel to the same. This intermediate wall 128subdivides the interior of the box profile 121 into a top chamber 131and into a bottom chamber 132. The heights of these chambers 131 and 132may be the same or different.

[0059] A vertically running intermediate wall 129 is located between thealready mentioned side walls 126 and 127 and extends between the topwall 124 and the horizontal intermediate wall 128. Consequently, thevertical intermediate wall 129 is located in the top profile chamber131. The intermediate walls 128 and 129 further stiffen the retainingarrangement 120. The vertical intermediate wall 129 is located outsidethe already mentioned centre plane M. This is because some of the screwsserving for fastening the ski binding on the top side of the top boxwall 124 come to rest in this centre plane M during the operation offitting the ski binding. The shanks of the fastening screws (notillustrated) project into the top chamber 131 of the box profile 121. Ifthe vertical intermediate wall 129 is located eccentrically, then itdoes not stand in the way of the fastening screws.

[0060] A horizontally running bar 133, 134 extends laterally away fromeach of the top side edges of the basic body 121 of the retainingarrangement 120. These bars 133 and 134 are integral with the basic body121 and have a more or less quadrilateral cross section, this crosssection being essentially rectangular in the example illustrated. Such abar 133, 134 has two horizontally running, longer sides 135 and 136. Viaa first of its shorter sides, the bar 133, 134 is connected integrallyto the rest of the basic body 121 of the retaining arrangement 120. Thisshorter side may also be referred to as the inner shorter side of thebar 123, 124. The second or outer shorter side 137 of the bar 133, 134is rounded in order to prevent injury to the skier on whose ski thisdevice is fitted.

[0061] The top longer side 135 of the profile or of the cross section ofthe bar 133, 134 is located, in the case illustrated, in the same planeas the surface 138 of the top wall 124 of the retaining arrangement 120.The vertical spacing between the longer sides 135 and 136 of the bar133, 134 may be equal, or at least correspond, to the thickness of thetop wall 124 of the basic body 121. In this case, the bars 133 and 134constitute mutually opposite continuations of the top wall 124 of thebasic body 121. In principle, however, it is also possible for the topside 135 of the bar 133, 134 to be located beneath the surface 138 ofthe abovementioned top wall 124. It is also possible, however, for thevertical spacing between the longer sides 135 and 136 of the bars 133and 134 to differ from the thickness of the top wall 124 of the basicbody 121.

[0062] The bottom longer side 136 of the bar 133, 134 is of planarconfiguration and is located more or less at right angles to the outersurface 139 of the shorter side wall 126, 127 located on the relevantside of the basic body 121.

[0063] The end portions of the box supports 118 and 119 each have, onthe front and rear, a bevel 28, this bevel 28 running from bottom totop. The bevel 28 may also be understood as a plane on which individualwalls of the box profile 121 terminate. The bottom corner 140 of thebevel 28 is located in the region of the bottom wall 125 of the boxprofile 121 and is set back in relation to the transverse edge 150 ofthe base plate 121. The transverse edge 150 of the base plate 121 runsin an arcuate manner. The top edge 139 of the bevels 28 is located inthe region of the underside of the top wall 124 of the basic body 121,to be precise at a distance from the abovementioned arc 150.

[0064] According to FIG. 19, the bevel 28 is designed such that only theside walls 126 and 127 of the box profile 121 have the abovedescribedprofile. The bottom wall 125 and the inner walls 128 and 129 of the boxprofile 121, in contrast, already terminate at a considerable distancefrom the bottom corners 140 of the bevel 28, with the result that theabovementioned walls may be very short. In some circumstances, they mayeven be located only beneath the respective part 108, 109 of the bootbinding. Elements 58 made of a compliant material are arranged betweenthe continuing sections of the side walls 126 and 127 of the profile121. The continuing sections of the side walls 126 and 127 retain thesematerial elements 58 laterally in place.

[0065] Configured in the respective side wall 126, 127 of the basic body121 of the respective retaining part 118,119 are groups 141 and 142 ofrespective openings 143 and 144 through which the pivot shafts 50 canpass. The respective retaining part 118, 119 of the retainingarrangement 120 can be connected in an articulated manner to one of theintermediate elements 122 and 123 via the corresponding shafts 50.Within the respective group 141, 142, the respective openings 143 and144 are located in a row one behind the other, these rows extending inthe longitudinal direction of the side walls 126 and 127. The openings143 of the first group 141 have an elongate contour, the longerdimension of these openings 143 coinciding with the longitudinaldirection of the respective group 141, 142. The openings 144 of thesecond group 142, in contrast, have a circular contour. The centre ofthe openings 143 and 144 of the two groups 141 and 142 is located in theregion of the bottom chamber 132 of the basic body 121, with the resultthat the connecting shafts 50 can pass through the bottom chamber 132.The centres of the openings are expediently located in the centre of theheight of the bottom profile chamber 132.

[0066] The respective intermediate element 122, 123 (FIGS. 22 to 24) hasa basic body 151, the cross section of which is essentially U-shaped.Such a basic body 151 has two legs 152 and 153 and a base 154 whichconnects the bottom borders of these legs 152 and 153 to one another.The base 154 of the intermediate element 122, 123 is essentially in theform of a plate. The underside 155 of such a base plate 154 is planar.In the case illustrated, the top side 156 of the base plate 154 isconvex. In a vertical longitudinal section, the top side 156 of the baseplate 154 may have an arcuate or a A-shaped profile. This section planethrough the convex shape runs parallel to the plate-like legs 152 and153 of the intermediate element 122, 123. Consequently, the thickness ofthe base plate 154 is greatest in the centre of the length of the same.

[0067] Two rows 156 and 157 of openings with a sunken border areconfigured in the base plate 154. Screws can pass through these openingsin order to fasten the intermediate element 122, 123 on the ski body 5.FIG. 24 illustrates an intermediate element 122, 123 which is intendedfor fastening on the ski body 5 in a fixed manner because saidintermediate element 122, 123 only has two pairs of openings 156 and157. In the case of the intermediate element 122, 123 according to FIG.23, two groups of openings 156 and 157 are provided, the openings 156and 157 in these groups forming mutually parallel rows. For fitting onthe ski body 5, it is possible to select those holes 156 and 157 of saidintermediate element 122, 123 which, in functional terms, give theoptimum spacing between the intermediate elements 122 and 123. Since thespacing between the holes 156 and 157 within one group is very small,this makes possible a very precise adjustment of the spacing between theintermediate elements 122 and 123 in the case of the plates 122 and 123according to FIG. 23.

[0068] The top contour 167 of the plate-like legs 152 and 153 is atleast partially arcuate. In the case illustrated, the arc 167 extendsover the entire length of the intermediate element 122, 123 and therespective end portion of the arc 167 is located in the region of thebase plate 154 of the intermediate element 122, 123. It is alsopossible, however, for the arc 167 only to be located in the centralregion of the leg length.

[0069] An opening 158, 159 (FIG. 18) is configured in the respective leg152, 153, these openings 158 and 159 expediently being located in thecentre of the length of the arc 167. In the case of one of theintermediate elements 122, the opening 158 may have an elongate contour,the longitudinal dimension of this opening 158 coinciding with thelongitudinal dimension of the intermediate element 122. In the case ofthe other intermediate element 123, the openings 158 have a circularcontour in such a case. If the retaining parts 118 and 119 have theelongate openings 153 already mentioned, then all the openings 159 inthe intermediate elements 122 and 123 may be circular and vice versa.

[0070] The spacing D between the inside of the legs 152 and 153 (FIG.23) on the intermediate elements 122 and 123 corresponds to the spacingD (FIG. 20) between the outer sides of the basic body 121 of theretaining part 118 and 119 such that the basic body 121 can bepositioned between the legs 152 and 153 of the intermediate element 122and 123 (FIG. 20). In this position of the retaining part 118 and 119,in each case one pivot shaft 50 extends through the associated pairs ofopenings 153 and 154 in the retaining parts 118 and 119 and through thepairs of openings 158 and 159 in the intermediate elements 122 and 123.In this case, the basic body 121 is located between the legs 152 and153, to be precise in a more or less play-free manner but such that itcan be pivoted about the shafts 50 in relation to the intermediateelements 122 and 123.

[0071] The height of the legs 152 and 153 of the intermediate elements122 and 123 is somewhat greater than the height of the side walls 126and 127 of the basic body 121 of the retaining part 118, 119. Thisresults in the underside 136 of the bars 133 and 134 on the retainingparts 118 and 119 resting on the vertices of the arcs 167 on the legs152 and 153 of the intermediate elements 122 and 123, and in the bottomwall 125 of the retaining part 118, 119 being spaced apart from the skibody 5. The height position of the openings 153 and 154 in the retainingparts 118 and 119 and of the openings 158 and 159 in the intermediateelements 122 and 123 is selected such that the bars 133 and 134 rest onthe arcs 167 without play, and that that section of the retaining part118, 119 which is assigned to the respective intermediate element 122,123 can pivot about the shaft 50 located here.

[0072] On account of the abovedescribed connection to the relevantintermediate element 122, 123, the respective retaining part 118, 119can be pivoted about the respective shaft 50. This would be veryunfavourable for the operation of the present device. In order tocombine the retaining parts 118 and 119, a connecting arrangement 160,which extends between the retaining parts 118 and 119, is provided. Thisconnecting arrangement 160, moreover, is also configured such that it ispossible to adjust the spacing between the retaining parts 118 and 119.

[0073] The connecting arrangement 160 comprises an elongate member 161which extends between the retaining parts 118 and 119, the end portionsof said member 161 being positioned in the relevant retaining part 118,119. The longitudinal member 161 may be configured as a threaded spindleand is located approximately in the centre of the width of the retainingparts 118 and 119. The connecting arrangement 160 further compriseshollow members 162 and 163 which are configured for accommodating theend portions of the elongate member 161. In each case one of thesehollow members 162 and 163 is fixedly connected to in each case one ofthe respective retaining parts 118 and 119. The hollow member 162, 163is fixedly connected to that end portion of the respective retainingpart 118, 119 which is directed towards the other respective retainingpart 119, 118.

[0074] In the interior of the abovedescribed hollow profile of the basicbody 121, the nut-like hollow member 162, 163 is fitted, and fastened,in a manner known per se on the relevant retaining part 118, 119,respectively. However, it is also possible for the end portion 162, 163of the respective retaining part 118, 119, directed towards the otherretaining part, to be configured from solid material in which thenecessary thread for accommodating the threaded spindle 161 is cut. Therespective half of the elongate member 161 expediently has a thread, theleads of these threads running in opposite directions. The threads inthe hollow members 162 and 163 likewise run in opposite directions, withthe result that the retaining parts 118 and 119 move towards one anotheror move away from one another when the threaded spindle 161 is rotatedin one direction or the other.

[0075] The respective retaining part 118, 119 may be assigned the insert58 which has already been described above and is made of a compliantmaterial, for example of rubber, of a plastic, in particular of afoam-like plastic, etc (FIG. 18). However, it is also only possible forsuch an insert 58 to be assigned to the outwardly directed end region ofthe respective retaining part 118, 119. It is possible for the insert 58to extend continuously beneath the retaining part 118, 119 or for suchinserts 58 to be located in the end regions of the respective retainingpart 118, 119. It is possible here for the inserts 58 at the ends of theretaining part 118, 119 to have different levels of compliance, with theresult that the behaviour of those sections of the ski body 5 whichproject to the front and rear from the retaining parts 118 and 119 canbe influenced differently by the different inserts. For example, it ispossible for the insert 58 at the front to be softer than the insert 58at the rear. The individual inserts 58 may be retained laterally inplace by the obliquely running end portions 28 of the box profile 121.It is possible for the inserts 58 to have a positive influence on, inparticular to dampen, the vibratory capacity and the flexing of the skibody 5.

[0076] During the operation of the present device, the ski body 5 bends,to be precise in particular in the central region of the length of thesame, as is induced by the shape of the terrain over which the ski hasjust passed. In this case, the relevant section of the underside 116,136 of the respective bar 113 and 114, 133 and 134 rolls on the arc 137,167 of the associated leg 132 and 133, 152 and 153. In this case, themain loading of the ski body 5, caused by the skier's weight, istransmitted from the retaining arrangement 100, 120, which bears the skior boot binding, via the bars 113 and 114, 133 and 134 on saidrespective arrangement 100, 120 and, more or less bypassing the shafts50, directly to the legs 132 and 133, 152 and 153 of the intermediateelements 102 and 103, 122 and 123. In the case of these devices, theshafts 50 actually only serve for retaining the retaining arrangement100, 120 between the legs 132 and 133, 152 and 153 of the intermediateelements 102 and 103, 122 and 123, to be precise during the forwardmovement of the ski and when the latter is temporarily relieved ofloading, for example when the skier jumps.

[0077] If the central region of the ski body 5 bends, then there is achange in the spacing between the openings in the intermediate elementswhich are fastened on the ski body 5. In contrast, there is no change inthe spacing between the openings in the retaining arrangement 100, 120.The changes in the abovementioned spacing between the openings, however,are very small, with the result that the elongate openings in theretaining arrangement and/or the elongate openings in one of theintermediate elements can make allowances for these changes in spacing.

[0078] The groups of openings in the retaining arrangement make itpossible to change the stiffness of the central portion of a given skibody 5 if required. This takes place such that the shafts 50 are pluggedthrough the openings, spaced apart from one another by a greater orlesser distance, of the relevant group in the retaining arrangement. Inthis case, however, it is necessary to adjust correspondingly theposition of at least one of the intermediate elements 102 and 103 on theski body 5. This is because the legs of the intermediate elements eachonly have one opening. The adjustment of the position of theintermediate elements is possible because the base plate of therespective intermediate element has openings located one behind theother in the longitudinal direction of the ski body 5.

[0079] The abovedescribed convex shape of the top side of the base plateof the respective intermediate element extends the pivoting range of theintermediate element in relation to the retaining arrangement becausethe intermediate element can pivot in an extended range in relation tothe retaining arrangement. This also makes it possible to reduce theheight of the legs and thus also of the device as a whole.

[0080]FIG. 21, moreover, shows a further embodiment of the presentdevice. In this embodiment, the binding heel 108 and the binding toe109, rather than being integral with the basic body 121 of therespective retaining part 118, 119, are connected to the basic body 121of the relevant retaining part 118, 119, respectively, such that theycan be displaced in the longitudinal direction of the device and that itis possible to fix the adjusted position of the same. Such a connection146 may take place, for example, with the aid of engaging rails on theretaining parts 118 and 119 and on the binding parts 108 and 109 andwith the aid of a corresponding fixing arrangement. The edges of theabovementioned rails may be undercut, with the result that they form adovetail connection between the retaining parts 118 and 119 and thebinding parts 108 and 109 assigned thereto. In order to fix the positionof the binding parts 108 and 109 which has been adjusted in relation tothe retaining parts 118 and 119, it is possible to use, for example,screws (not illustrated) which pass through the binding parts 108 and109 and are screwed in the basic body 121 of the relevant retaining part118, 119, respectively.

[0081] The abovedescribed embodiments of the present device may befitted, for example, on skis, snowboards, monoskis and firn skis.

1. Device for connecting a ski or the like to a skier's boot,characterized in that a brake (5) is foreseen which can be released bythe device itself.
 2. Device according to the patent claim 1,characterized in that it includes a lower part (1), which can be securedon a main body of the sporting appliance (3), that the device furtherincludes an upper part (2) which can be taken away from the lower part(1), whereby the shoe (4) of the skier can be connected to this upperpart (22), that the brake (5) includes a feather like elastic main body(60), that this main body is essentially V-shaped, that the legs (61,62)of such a main body (60) cross one another, that this crossing place isswingable clamped between the lower part (1) and the ski body (3), thatthe main body (60) has a control section (18) and a braking section(19), that the position of the control section (18) and consequentlyalso the position of the braking section (19) is controllable by theupper part (2).
 3. Device according to the patent claim 2, characterizedin that the lower part (1) has a basis plate (10), which can be securedon the main body of the sporting appliance (3), that deepenings (8,9)are executed in the underside of the basis plate (10), which serve fortaking in the crossing sections (612,622) of the brake (5), that astationary base (13) is secured on the basis plate (10), which isforeseen and adapted for the reception of the upper part (2).
 4. Deviceaccording to the patent claim 3, characterized in that the upper part(2) has an oblong main body (20), that this main body (20) includes twolongitudinal sections (22,24) lying one after another as well as middlesection (23) lying between said longitudinal sections (22,24), that thelongitudinal sections (22,24) are fasted by one end to oppositepositions of the main body (231) of the middle section (23), that themiddle section (23) is determined and executed for the reception of thebase (13), that each of the longitudinal sections (22,24) contains anappliance (35) for the releasable connection of the middle section (23)with the base (13), that these appliances (35) reach throughcorresponding openings (33) in the cylindrical side wall (331) of thecasing (30) of the middle section (23) until into the interior space(33) and that the respective opening (33) lies within the contour of thelongitudinal section (22,24), which adjoins to this place of the casing(30).
 5. Device according to the patent claim 4, characterized in thatthe respective longitudinal section (22,24) of the upper part (2) has ina cross-section essentially the form of a letter U turned downward, thatappliances (41,42) are foreseen for the holding the tip and the heel ofthe shoe (4), and that each one of these appliances (41,42) is placedmovable and lockable in one of the free end regions of the longitudinalsections (22,24).
 6. Device according to the patent claim 2,characterized in that the upper part (2) of the device is connectedsolidly to the shoe (4).
 7. Device according to the patent claim 6,characterized in that a protective sole (55) is foreseen which isexecuted so, that it can be removably installed at the underside of theupper part (2).
 8. Device according to the patent claim 2, characterizedin that supporting means (29;83,84) are foreseen in the area of the freeend portion of the longitudinal sections (22,24) of the upper part (2),that these supporting means (29;83,84) stick out downward from theunderside of the respective longitudinal section (22,24) and that aprojection (81) can rise from the upper side of the sport appliance (3),which can be in gear with the supporting means (29;83,84).
 9. Deviceaccording to the patent claim 4, characterized in that an appliance (70)is foreseen by aid of which the effect of the connecting appliance (35)on the base (13) can be decreased or temporarily even negatived. 10.Device according to the patent claim 3, characterized in that the base(13) has a main body, which has the form of a short tube piece, that thelongitudinal axis B of this tube piece stands square with thelongitudinal axis A of the device, that a deepening (16,17) is executedat two diametrically opposite positions of the outer surface of the mainbody, that one of the connecting appliances (35) can gear into one ofthese deepenings and that a guide groove (75) extends between the edge(76) of the deepening (16,17) and the upper middle part of the main bodyof the base and that the guide groove (75) extends in a meridiandirection of the main body of the base.